A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step — and a road map. A Personal Mission Statement is the direction you want your life to head towards and the steps you plan to take in order to get to your destination. 

1. Define Yourself - What kind of person are you, what do you do? What are some of the different roles you play (father, teacher, coach, PTO Leader)?
2. Define Your Core Values - Having troubles? Figure out what you absolutely cannot stand and take the inverse (for instance if you cannot stand to be alone perhaps you place high value on relationships with others).
3. Name the top few relationships in your life. Make a note of what is important to you about  each relationship.
4. List five long-range goals you have for yourself concerning your family. Repeat this process for your career, your hobbies and your interests. 
5. List specific goals you have for the fulfillment of the four basic needs: physical, social, mental and spiritual. 
6. Think About the Future - Envision yourself at 80 years old. How do you want your family and friends to describe you? How do you want your life to play out? What would you want your obituary to read?
7. Record the contributions you want to have made by the end of your life. Note the age you will be when you accomplish these goals. 
8. Craft a rough draft of your mission statement by turning some of the above ideas into complete sentences or declarations. 
9. Put the mission statement away for one week and then return to it with a fresh eye. Edit again until it says exactly what you mean. 
10. Have your mission statement accessible. Visit it frequently and adjust it as your life circumstances change, as you grow personally and as you accomplish more and more of your life goals. This will help to guide your future. Whenever you question doing something, ask yourself, “Will this help me achieve my mission?”